3 Strategies for an Easier Career Change
It’s a tough job market right now, and if you’re looking for your next career opportunity – then I have three (3) strategies to help you change your career faster…
1. Keep yourself marketable. If you’re looking for a new job, then use your “in-between” time to get any training or education you may need. Job requirements can change over the years. Industries can change. So make sure you stay current with the demands of the market by assessing your skills and qualifications with what the market is demanding. Most industries have a kind of license or certification that’s highly valued – such as project management certification, marketing certification, financial planning licenses, and so on. So keep yourself marketable by staying current with required training and education.
Another strategy for keeping yourself marketable when you’re not working, is to start freelancing or consulting. This shows hiring managers that you take initiative and that you’re considered an expert in your field by others. Also, join an association’s Board of Directors, or at minimum, a committee. These strategies will help keep you visible, expand your network, and boost your resume.
2. Fish where the fish are. In other words, know where your potential employers are. Find out by reading trade magazines, industry publications, company websites and websites that advertise job openings like CareerJournal.com, and CareerBuilder.com to learn which industries are hiring, which companies are hiring, and what the hot jobs are.
You can also learn about companies that are hiring by attending industry conferences, trade shows, business networking events and association meetings. Another good idea is to join professional networking sites such as LinkedIn.com to get connected to industry leaders and company decision makers. Make it a priority to get connected, and stay connected, to people who can inspire you, hire you, or introduce you to others who could potentially hire you.
3. Be a resource to others. When you’re in the market for a new job, you never want to give the impression that you need a job. Instead, you want to be seen as someone who’s a leader, a driver, a mentor to others, and someone who’s resourceful – who knows how to get things done and get results. This is one reason why you want to consult, freelance, or volunteer while you’re in between jobs.
So here’s a tip – instead of sending the message, “I need you to give me a job”, you should send the message, “I’m someone who is resourceful, insightful and has a specific area of expertise.” In other words, “I’m someone YOU should get to know!” This is a major shift in the way others perceive you.
One way you can do that is to send out personal notes with links to cool videos, reports, press releases, or websites that you think might interest them. Another tip is to invite them to business networking events, and introduce them to other movers and shakers in the industry.
The bottom line is that successful professionals are drawn to other successful professionals and those who are resourceful. So get personal with your professional network and show them how you can help them be more successful.
There you have it – three great strategies to help you make an EASIER career change including: keeping yourself marketable, fish where the fish are, and be a resource to others.
If you’re stuck in your career – get professional help! You never want your career to be sitting on shelf longer than it has to – it means thousands of dollars every month in missed income that you should be making! So if you’re not getting results, then invest in some professional advice, like –
a. A Professional resume writer, or
b. An interview coach, or
c. Or a career coach
These are professionals who can accelerate your career change and help you get into a new job faster!
Types of Career Influencers
Forming strong strategic partnerships with career influencers in four key categories can help strengthen your credibility and elevate your personal brand.
- Those who can evangelize your talents and accomplishments to others. They are your personal public relations representatives who give you visibility and exposure to other career influencers. They spread the good word about your work, accomplishments and the value you provide. They are living testimonials who can recommend you to other managers or clients.
- Those who currently hold, or have had, a position you desire. They can be career mentors or advisors to you providing invaluable advice on the skills and personal characteristics required to be successful in that role. They can offer guidance on your career path, share their steps in reaching that position or give insight into the professional challenges they faced and specific strategies they used to overcome obstacles.
- Those who can teach you a new skill. They are experts in their fields and possess specialized knowledge or experience to help you reach your career goals.
- Those who, just by working with them or being associated with them, can strengthen and add credibility to your personal brand. Simply by sitting on a board of directors with a well-respected industry expert, or reporting directly to someone well positioned in the company, or winning a new client who is admired within the community could give your personal brand a boost.
Who Is In Your Sphere of Influence?
Now that we’ve discussed what a Sphere of Influence is, let’s talk more about who’s in your sphere of influence. Think locally, nationally and globally. Perhaps there is someone you want to meet who is an author or a conference speaker. Perhaps she is someone in the media, a political figure or a business owner. Think about who might be a good connection, role model or perhaps even a mentor – someone who can help advance your career (or introduce you to others who might advance your career).
As you think about your network of career influencers, analyze your current work environment. Include managers and colleagues who have specific areas of expertise and those who can provide guidance and share information.
Every company has an inside network of influencers who are well positioned within the company. Influencers are easy to spot. They are well respected and usually well liked within the organization. They are movers and shakers, constantly helping to move the organization forward. Others seek out their advice and ask for their suggestions. These are career influencers you should add to your target audience list.
Now think bigger. Who are the influencers in the industry? Attend professional association meetings, industry conferences and business networking events. Meet the members, speakers and those on the boards of directors. Join a committee or the board of directors of an association. The idea is to meet people who are successful in your chosen position or industry. Add them to your target audience list. Find ways to make connections with them to learn about their career paths, obstacles they had to overcome, best practices and key lessons they learned.
The universe is truly amazing. Once you begin identifying these career influencers, you will notice that you begin connecting with all kinds of people who can help advance your career. I really can be supportive and positively influence my career, the universe has connected me with the right people at the right time. I also have many clients who believe they were connected with me in the same way at just the right time.
Please feel free to share in the comments who your career influencers have been throughout your career.
What Is Your Sphere of Influence?
Let’s start by looking at your sphere of influence. Picture three rings – one big, one medium, and one small. The three rings fit inside each other. You are represented by a single dot in the center.
Each ring symbolizes a target audience. The ring closest to you symbolizes the people you connect with on a regular basis and know you fairly well. They can include your manager, co-workers, peers, clients, family, close friends, etc. They are people whom you associate with directly, who could impact your career. Conversely, you can influence their perceptions through your messages and actions.
The medium-sized ring symbolizes others who may have some influence on your career. They are people you know, but may not see you on a regular basis. They could be managers from other departments, senior managers, past employers or clients, externals suppliers, or people whom you’ve met at professional associations, civic organizations, or trade shows.
The big ring symbolizes your wish list – those whom you want to meet and add to your sphere of influence. Is there someone who impressed you, whom you would like to get to know? Write down her name. Is there someone you admire for his knowledge, skills or career success? Expand your mind to think big. I love what Donald Trump said, “If you’re going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big.”
Do you have a strong support system of career influencers?
If you want bigger promotions, better clients, and a richer, more meaningful career, you must work with people who value you and your professional strengths, talents and accomplishments. Otherwise, you will be living in a frustrating world, spending time and energy to accomplish things, yet receiving very little in return.
So what you need to do is put together a strong support system of career influencers. A key step in building a powerful personal brand is to identify those in your professional network who value you. People with an appreciation for your professional strengths and talents can pave the way for you to achieve the career of your dreams. They can help expand and accelerate your career. They can hire you, help you get promoted and recommend you to potential clients or employers.
Identify those managers, clients, peers, colleagues, and potential employers who you feel value your talents and strengths, as well as those you want to value you. These are successful professionals who can give you the strategies, insight, and inspiration to advance your career. They are people who can support you, teach you, inspire you, and influence others.
Connect With Me!
What clients are saying…
"I was in a work situation that really wasn't for me. My motivation was at an all-time low and I even started questioning whether I belonged in my cur [...]
Career Coaching 360 client Ken Furukawa, Research In Motion
"I decided to make a career change after 15 years in the same industry. When I thought about looking for a new job, developing a resume, and interview [...]
Career Coaching 360 client Tracey Kiest, American Red Cross
”Sherri gave me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and to take a risk. I would highly recommend her to anyone in need of career coaching.” [...]
Career Coaching 360 client Marcalena Coleman, EntrepreneurRead more
"I never had a problem marketing someone else's product or service, but when it came to my own skills – I would draw a blank. Sherri's expertise cle [...]
Career Coaching 360 client John Bord, Chief Marketing Officer-
Sherri Thomas, author “Career Smart – 5 Steps to a Powerful Personal Brand” AMAZON’s TOP 10 LIST for personal branding books! Learn how to put yourself in high demand with leaders, clients and hiring managers! Buy it now!